Merv Griffin used to say that his favorite event of the year was the Young Musicians Foundation Gala held each year at the Beverly Hilton. The entertainer/mogul died earlier this year but the tradition carried on Friday night and drew a mighty big name: Clint Eastwood. The Oscar-winning director was on hand to present Griffin's son, Tony, with a special award during an evening hosted by Ryan Seacrest and featuring performances by Katherine McPhee and Michael Feinstein as well as, of course the Young Musicians Orchestra.
"Music is in his body and soul," Tony Griffin told me before the event. "He exercised music like we do body parts, every day of his life - until the very end. So young musicians to him are very special. That's why this event knocks you off your feet because you see a 13 year old get up and play the violin like Yo-Yo Ma."
Singer Michael Feinsten said it was an event he would not consider missing because of his friendship with Merv: "I spent a lot of time with him, usually around the piano discussing music and songs. He was such a generation, brilliant, sweet guy - a man of his word and a person who is so deeply missed. Not because of his power, but because of what he gave from his soul. Somebody with that kind of drive and that kind of ability could have gone a lot of directions and the fact that he was a billionaire and still remembered everybody along the way is something that is unique."
The tireless Seacrest had already hosted his morning radio show and E! News Daily when he showed up at the Beverly Hilton for yet another gig: "Today, I haven't rested or been home so I'm just happy my hairspray's holding up," he quipped.
Old Hollywood was out in force with actresses Jane Withers, Anne Jeffries and Ann Rutherford arriving together. Also there was Catherine Oxenberg and her daughter India, singer Freda Payne, and Ty Treadway, host of "Merv Griffin's Crosswords" (Treadway is pictured below with Katherine McPhee)